12 Best Cardio Machines For Bad Knees of 2024

Cardio exercises are recommended by physicians. Running, jogging, and biking are the most common and effective cardio exercises; however, they are terrible for those with bad knees. In this case, you may consider a cardio machine instead.

Here are the best cardio machines for bad knees you can buy in 2024:

• Best Overall (Recumbent Exercise Bike): Marcy ME-709
• For People With Long Inseam (Recumbent Exercise Bike): JEEKEE Bike
• Best For Heavy People (Recumbent Exercise Bike): Vanswe Bike
• Premium Choice (Recumbent Exercise Bike): Nautilus R616
• Best Overall (Magnetic Rower): Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515
• Best For Taller People (Magnetic Rower): ITNESS REALITY 1000 PLUS
• Widest Range Of Motion (Magnetic Rower): MaxKare Rower
• Best For Heavier People (Magnetic Rower): Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5801
• Best overall (Elliptical Training Machine): Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902
• Compact Version (Elliptical Training Machine): Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk
• Best For Seniors (Elliptical Training Machine): Doufit EM-01
• Best For Children And Teenagers (Elliptical Training Machine): MaxKare Elliptical

Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes are the best choice for low-impact legs exercise, which reduces stress on your joints, ankles, knees, hips, and back. When working out, you sit on the bike like sitting on a chair, with your legs reaching towards the pedals ahead. Your back is supported by the backrest, moreover, the handlebars let you add further support to the hips and the lower back. Your legs move in a circular motion, practicing your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and lower legs.

Recumbent bikes offer mild cardio exercises, ideal for physical rehabilitation, for seniors, kids, or those who just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle but not want too-stressful and too-serious workouts. Riding a recumbent bike is considered the most easiest and risk-free type of workout.

If walking or riding a real bike is somehow difficult for you, a recumbent bike would be a perfect choice. If you want more "serious" exercises that can build muscle strength, consider a rowing machine or an elliptical training machine (see below).

Best Overall (Recumbent Exercise Bike): Marcy ME-709

Marcy ME-709

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Marcy ME-709 is my pick for the best overall recumbent bike due to its affordability as well as its quality, suitable for any users. It suits 5ft to 6ft 7in users with inseam length from 27 to 36 inches. The frame is made of 14-gauge steel tubes for sturdiness and stability during intense workouts. The powder-coated finish remains its color for many years.

I rate Marcy ME-709 highly for its user-friendly design. First of all, the step-through design is for easier on and off the bike. The seat and backrest are large and thick padded, along with raised foam-covered handlebars, for full-body support. The large pedals with straps keep your foot secure and comfortable; moreover, they are counterbalanced, making it also easy to get in place to practice.

Marcy ME-709 features a magnetic resistance mechanism, which utilizes electromagnetic induction to provide the resistance. The advantages are that it gives you quiet and smooth workouts. Besides, due to less friction, these inner parts last longer. It is easy to adjust among 8 levels of resistance by using a knob in front of you.

The LCD shows Speed, Distance, Time, Calories, Odometer for you to track your workout progress. The only drawback of Marcy ME-709 is that it is so basic, which lacks some convenient features like heart rate sensors and exercise pre-programs. However, at the given price, Marcy ME-709 is the best recumbent bike that you can expect.

For People With Long Inseam (Recumbent Exercise Bike): JEEKEE Bike

JEEKEE Bike

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JEEKEE Recumbent Bike is the choice for tall people with long inseam. The seat can be adjusted to fit users from 4ft9in to 6ft5in (with inseam length from 27" to 39"). There are 9 positions of the seat to suit any user. However, I don’t recommend this bike for short users as the Marcy ME-709 would be more suitable.

The construction of JEEKEE Recumbent Bike is strong enough to stay firmly and stably during intense workouts. It offers smooth and quiet workouts thanks to the dual-belt system and the two-way external magnetic flywheel technology. The large padded seat and backrest and the foam-covered handlebars are pretty comfortable.

Despite being a budget recumbent bike, JEEKEE Recumbent Bike features heart-rate sensors at the handlebars. Heart pulse is an important indicator of your health, also a good measure for your workouts. The alarm system is another advantage of this bike - it will tell you when you reach your goal. Use the LCD to set the goal before practicing.

Overall, JEEKEE Recumbent Bike is designed for tall people. This bike is pretty basic and affordable, pretty alike the Marcy ME-709 but with heart-rate sensors. However, if you are not that tall, I still recommend choosing Marcy ME-709 as it is more durable and provides more consistent performance.

Best For Heavy People (Recumbent Exercise Bike): Vanswe Bike

Vanswe Bike

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Vanswe Recumbent Bike provides you with super-smooth rides. They are the magnetic resistance mechanism, the needle roller bearings, and the double belt system that make the bike operate smoothly and quietly.

In addition to those features, the three-piece cranks help soften your ankle movement, making the pedaling experience more gentle and rhythmic. This crank design is a significant advantage of this Vanswe Recumbent Bike over the two bikes above.

Like the JEEKEE Recumbent Bike, Vanswe Recumbent Bike features heart pulse sensors. You can monitor your heart rate per minute, as well as other workout data, such as speed, distance, time, and calories burned, with a large LCD.

Moreover, this bike comes with a free Fitness Data app to track your workouts progress more easily - connect the bike to your phone with the integrated Bluetooth Smart Technology. However, you cannot set your goal and get alarm notification when the goal is achieved like the JEEKEE Recumbent Bike.

For me, this bike is already quite advanced. However, if you are willing to spend more, you’ll be surprised by the premium quality of the Nautilus R616 below.

Premium Choice (Recumbent Exercise Bike): Nautilus R616

Nautilus R616

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Nautilus R616 is a premium recumbent bike, providing you with superior exercise experience - no wonder about this. You’ll have to spend three times as much as other bikes, and the bike is totally worth the money.

First, it is the appearance. Nautilus R616 looks nice in black, white, and dark gray. The construction and all the moving parts of Nautilus R616 are all great. The seat is super plush for a soft and comfortable feeling while workouts. The backrest is ergonomic and maintains a good posture for your back. It is vented to keep your back cool during long hours of workout, unlike other recumbent bikes with thick padded backrest, which is comfortable but makes you sweat, hot and humid.

The DualTrack blue backlit LCD lets you track your workout progress. The lower display shows Speed, Time, Distance, RPM, Heart Rate, and Calories. The upper display shows goal settings, goal achievements, different exercise programs, and different user profiles.

You’ll have 29 workout programs with 25 resistance levels. Try out new programs every day to keep your workouts interesting. Some examples of programs: Fun rides: Rolling Hills, Ride in the Park, Easy Tour; Mountains: Pike's Peak, Mount Hood, Pyramids; Challenges: Uphill Finish, Cross-Training, Interval.

Moreover, you’ll get access to the Explore the World app, which lets you ride along exotic routes and stunning trails around the globe. Through the app, you can also ride with your friends.

Rowing Machines

Rowing machines are a more serious choice than recumbent bikes. They are often not for bad knees; however, under certain circumstances, they are a great choice to build your arm, back, and shoulder muscles, as well as your abs, thighs, and hamstrings. Overall, a lot of muscles have to be involved.

Moreover, rowing is a very interesting way of exercise. You can use a rowing machine in various ways. If you have really bad knees, you don't have to practice your legs - just stay in position and pull the strap to practice your upperparts.

Best Overall (Magnetic Rower): Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515

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Sunny SF-RW5515 is my pick for the best rowing machine. It has sturdy construction with a heavy-duty steel frame and large cross tubes with floor stabilizers, which helps the rower stays stable on uneven ground. Even in violent workouts, you will feel it stay firm and secure, no shaking at all.

It’s pretty comfortable sitting on Sunny SF-RW5515. The handles are foam covered with non-slip textures, the seat is ergonomic and thickly padded, and the pedals are large, pivoting with secure straps.

Sunny SF-RW5515 provides you with a smooth riding experience. The magnetic resistance is consistent and quiet. The slide length is extra-long, 48 inches, offering you a very wide range of motion for effective exercise. The LCD shows time, count, calories, total count, scan, letting you monitor your workout progress. Besides, the rower features a foldable design with wheels for easier storage and transportation.

The only drawback on Sunny SF-RW5515 is the seat. It squeaks and makes some annoying sounds sometimes. Except for that, this rower is perfect, from sturdiness, stability to smooth and quiet operation.

Best For Taller People (Magnetic Rower): ITNESS REALITY 1000 PLUS

ITNESS REALITY 1000 PLUS

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ITNESS REALITY 1000+ is another good choice. It is especially good for tall people. It supports users from 4ft9in to 6ft6in. However, the slide length is not so impressive, only 39 inches. So, you probably won’t get a very wide range of motion.

Like Sunny SF-RW5515, I recommend ITNESS REALITY 1000+ for its sturdiness and stability of the construction, which will stay firmly in place even during intense workouts. The magnetic resistance is smooth and quiet. You’ll have 14 different levels of resistance to fit your workout needs. The LCD lets you monitor your workout data.

All the features are good as the Sunny SF-RW5515; however, one feature that makes ITNESS REALITY 1000+ stand out is the Bluetooth connectivity. You’ll have access to My Cloud Fitness app, connect your phone to the rower via Bluetooth, and set workout goals via the app. There are not many Bluetooth rowers in the market, this rower is really a rare one.

In addition, since the rower features two stabilizer foot pads, you can stand on these pads and do exercises with the straps.

Widest Range Of Motion (Magnetic Rower): MaxKare Rower

MaxKare Rower

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MaxKare Magnetic Rower is the best in terms of range of motion thanks to its extra-long slide length - 49 inches. Moreover, the high-quality magnetic flywheel makes the motion smooth and quiet. Besides, the rower has 16 levels of resistance, so you choose from the easiest level for less pressure on your knees to the hardest level for serious workouts.

Other features on MaxKare Magnetic Rower are also pretty great, from the padded handle, the cushioned seat, non-slip pedals to the sturdy and stable construction. It costs a bit more than two rowers above, which seems pretty worth the price. However, this rower is more suitable for lighter people.

Best For Heavier People (Magnetic Rower): Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5801

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5801

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For heavier people, I recommend this SF-RW5801. It supports up to 285 lbs with a pretty sturdy and stable frame. Overall, all the features on this rower are okay compared with other rowers above; however, the rower does not stand out as well.

You’ll have 16 levels of resistance to fit the type of workouts that you want. The LCD lets you monitor your progress. The upside is that the seat and pedals are oversized and pretty comfortable. The downside is that it does make some noise when you ride hard.

SF-RW5801 has the main advantage of sturdiness and stability, so would be ideal for heavier people or for those who want intense workouts.

Elliptical Training Machines

Elliptical training machines vary a lot, especially in the motion range. Some elliptical machines have pedals moving in a flat direction; these machines are suitable for those with bad knees. Some elliptical machines have pedals moving in a more curve direction, ideal for those who want to work seriously. Here, I only introduce machines that are suitable for bad knees.

Elliptical training machines have handlebars moving back and forth in sync with the movement of the pedals. Overall, elliptical machines are great to burn calories quickly and strengthen lower body muscles, including abs, quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves. Elliptical machines are also a great choice to improve balance and stamina.

Best overall (Elliptical Training Machine): Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902

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SF-E902 is my pick for the best overall elliptical training machine for bad knees. First of all, the pedals move in a flat motion, which is pretty easy on your knees. Moreover, the machine moves smoothly and quietly. This would be a perfect choice for people with bad knees to practice their knees as well as the upper body.

Thanks to the long stride distance, SF-E902 would also be suitable for aerobic workouts. When stretching and running, you work your abdominal muscles, as well as arms and legs. However, without a circular motion and tension system, the exercises are not so hard and intense.

SF-E902 features non-slip pedals and an abdominal pad for comfort and support. The LCD lets you monitor time, count, total distance, and calories, as well as choosing between fitness pre-programs. The machine can be folded up in half, which is pretty convenient for storage.

Compact Version (Elliptical Training Machine): Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk

Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk

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SH&F Under Desk is pretty convenient for office staff. It has a low-profile design, which is small enough to place under your desk. Moreover, it is pretty quiet and portable, so you can carry it anywhere and use it anytime.

With SH&F Under Desk, you can practice while sitting, reducing the harm of sitting too long. Cardio exercises help increase blood circulation, improve muscular endurance, and practice your knees and ankles. I highly appreciate the idea of this design since I have to sit long hours in front of my laptop every day, and with this machine, I can exercise while working.

SH&F Under Desk comes fully assembled, ready to use. It has 8 levels of resistance to fit your preference for workouts. Despite being a compact machine, it has a good range of motion - 7 inches of stride distance, for you to practice effectively. This elliptical training machine is designed for special purposes, and Sunny has done a great job. Nothing to complain about.

Best For Seniors (Elliptical Training Machine): Doufit EM-01

Doufit EM-01

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Doufit EM-01 features dual-action arms and pedals, which move in a circular motion. This gives you rhythmic and continuous rides. The type of exercise is ideal for waist, hip, legs, and arms workouts. There are 8 levels of resistance to fit everybody in your home.

Doufit EM-01 works quietly and smoothly. With non-slip pedals, it is pretty secure for kids and seniors. The LCD lets you track your workout progress. Moreover, the machine features heart pulse sensors on both arms. Heartbeat per minute is a very important indicator of your health and the effectiveness of the workouts.

However, the stride distance of Doufit EM-01 is pretty short, which is not suitable for intense training - This is a machine for cardio anyway.

Best For Children And Teenagers (Elliptical Training Machine): MaxKare Elliptical

MaxKare Elliptical

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MaxKare Elliptical Machine is an alternative to the Doufit EM-01 above. With an ergonomic design of the handles and the pedals, this machine allows a wider range of circular motion. So it is possible to give you more intense workouts.

The flywheel is 11lbs with 8 levels of resistance, which is suitable for 4 types of training - cardio, shaping, firm-abs, and competitive race. It features internal handles to practice your abs and legs alone. There are heart pulse sensors on these handles to monitor your health status.

However, MaxKare Elliptical Machine does make some annoying sounds. Also, the stride length is not so impressive. Overall, this elliptical machine is suitable for teenagers or women, who want serious but not-too-intense workouts.

How To Choose The Best Cardio Machine For Bad Knees?

For bad knees, a recumbent bike, a rowing machine, or an elliptical machine would be an appropriate choice.

• Recumbent Bike: The best choice for bad knees as recumbent bikes put very little stress on your back, ankles, and knees. Recumbent bikes offer mild cardio exercises, ideal for physical rehabilitation, for seniors, kids, or those who just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle but not want too-stressful workouts.
• Rowing machine: Rowing machines are more difficult than recumbent bikes. They're a good choice to develop your arm, back, and shoulder muscles, as well as your abs, thighs, and hamstrings. Overall, a lot of muscles need to be involved. In addition, rowing is a really fun way to exercise.
• Elliptical training machine: Elliptical training machines tend to be too stressful for bad knees. However, there are some ellipticals that move in a flat motion, so put less stress on your knees. This type of machine is for those who want to work full body.

Besides, you should also pay attention to some of the machine’s specs, such as max user weight - should support your weight, stride length - better to fit your stride length for effective workouts, resistance levels - to meet your preference of workouts, heart pulse sensors, LCD, etc. You can consult my review of each machine above to know which features are important and how.

Which Brands Make The Best Cardio Machine For Bad Knees?

Marcy - Recumbent Bikes

Marcy is the to-go brand when it comes to recumbent bikes. Marcy belongs to Impex - one of the world leaders of health and fitness equipment providers. Impex was founded in 1982; up to now, it has successfully built its reputation on innovation yet affordable fitness products. Besides, customer services are also an advantage of the brand.

Marcy provides a wide range of home health and fitness appliances, from exercise bikes, weight benches, home gym cages to dumbbell and barbell sets. A fun fact about Marcy is that it was the provider of home workout equipment for Bruce Lee. Overall, this is a brand that you can trust.

MaxKare - Rowing Machines

MaxKare is the to-go brand when it comes to rowing machines. Being an eCommerce retailer, so MaxKare has the advantage of price. They provide high-quality products at a very reasonable price. They have some very interesting rower models, including water rowers and magnetic rowers. Besides rowing machines, MaxKare is also known for being a good distributor of Home Comfort, Relaxation and Massager, Flexible Heated Solutions, and Baby Care products. When it comes to MaxKare, you are assured of high quality, unique designs, and great customer services.

Sunny Health & Fitness - Elliptical Training Machines

Sunny Health & Fitness is the to-go brand when it comes to elliptical training machines. They have a wide range of elliptical training machines for all types of users and purposes. Moreover, Sunny a well-known importer and distributor of health and fitness products, including treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowers, steppers, weights, and other fitness accessories. Their main competitive advantage is high-quality products at affordable prices. With more than 15 years of good reputation, Sunny is a brand that is worth considering.

FAQs

Conclusion

Running, jogging, and biking are terrible for those with bad knees. So, you may consider a cardio machine. I hope you found this article helpful. Wish your knees get better soon!